Stitch length control for circular knitting machines



Fab. 5, 1963 B. F. COILE 3,

STITCH LENGTH CONTROL F OR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed July 15, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l PJLEE L A 7 TOR/V5) Feb. 5, 1963 B. F. COILE 3,076,327

STITCH LENGTH CONTROL FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed July 15. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Berg 4min Frank/1h Col/e ATTORNEY B. F. COILE Feb. 5, 1963 STITCH LENGTH CONTROL FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Filed July 15, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fink/720 ELE E 65 Mun/2175173 INVENTOR.

Begum/n Frank/m Col/e "W United States Theinstant invention relates to multifeed circular knitting machines and more particularly to the provision of means for simultaneously adjusting the vertical positions of the cam assemblies for the several feeds to obtain graduated stitch lengths throughout the knitting of a fabric section.

The invention is particularly applicable to machines of the general type of that of my co-pending application Serial No. 329,801, filed January 6, 1953 and correspond ing British Patent No. 790,141. The machine herein disclosed is of the multifeed, specifically four-feed, type the needle operating mechanism comprising four cam block assemblies each assembly being adapted to be adjusted vertically as a unit to control stitch length. The adjustment of each cam block assembly is under the control of pattern means, namely, two pattern control drums each of which operates through cams, cam followers, and suitable linkage to adjust the position of the assemblies at one or more of the feeding stations whereby the stitch length to be drawn at each of the feeding and knitting stations is under individual pattern control.

In the present commercial embodiment of the machine of my said copending application the stitch control mechanism has been modified so that each cam block assembly is located intermediate the yarn feeding stations and each comprises a forward and reverse stitch cam for the stations to right and left of the assembly respectively. Also in lieu of the individual cam assembly control employing the pattern drum as disclosed in my said co-pending application common means under the control of one of the pattern drums is employed for adjusting the heights of all of the assemblies simultaneously. The mechanism above referred to is disclosed for example in the booklet entitled The Reading CK-A Circular Knitting Machine issue of August 1957 published by Textile Machine Works of Reading, Pennsylvania, the assignee of my said co-pending application, a copy of which is available in Division 21' of the Patent Office. The common adjusting mechanism includes a ring surrounding the cam block assemblies and so related and connected thereto that shogging or oscillation of the ring in one direction raises and in the other direction lowers all of the cam assemblies simultaneously.

atent 3,076,327 Patented Feb. 5., 1963 stitch length control mechanism particularly adapted for machines generally of the type of my said co-pending application but including a common adjustment means for the several cam assemblies the mechanism including a pattern cam track and cooperating follower means, with means in part under the control of the main pattern drum or drums to cause relative movement between the cam track and the follower means during any desired interval of knitting.

Briefly stated my invention resides in a stitch control mechanism employing a cam ring mountedfor rotation relatively to a main pattern drum of the machine, and continuously operating means to actuate a pawl to rotate the cam ring past a follower, the periods of actuation of said pawl by said continuously operating means being in part under the control of one or more of the pattern drums and in part controlled by the position of pawl blanking means associated with the cam ring. The fo1- lower operates through known mechanism to simultaneously adjust the elevations of the several cam assemblies. My invention will be more fully understood and further objects and advantages thereof will become apparent when reference is made to the more detailed description thereof which is to follow and to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the upperdeck of a multifeed circular knitting machine embodying the instant in- Shogging of the ring is effected by the movement of a i pattern lug on one of the control drums beneath a follower member which through suitable linkage imparts a shogging or oscillating movement to the ring. Inasmuch as the pattern control drum has but a relatively few moves, suitably 24, during the entire cycle of knitting a garment such as a sock, and such shogging movements of the drum are required to control various of the machine operations, only relatively few drum moves are available for stitch length control with the result that the adjustment of the cam assemblies can be made only at relatively wide inter- .vention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view on an enlarged scale of a stitch cam assembly viewed in the direction of the arrows 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on a line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on a line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on a line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on a line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 88 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 9 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

In the following description and in the drawings the invention is illustrated as incorporated in a four-feed knitting machine generally of the type of my said co-pe-nding application Serial No. 329,801 to which reference may be made for information as to the general construction and operation of the machine. However it will be understood that my invention is not to be considered as limited in use to the machine of my said co-pending application as it may be employed in other knitting machines presenting similar opportunities for needle cam control.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a portion of a knitting machine including a needle cylinder 15 carrying conventional needles (not shown) for movement through knitting cycles adjacent each of the four feeding stations indicated by the legends No. 1 feed, No. 2 feed, No. 3 feed and No. 4 feed, respectively. In the machine of the instant invention as Well as the commercial machine previously described the movements of the needles in performing their knitting functionis imparted thereto by cam means ineluding stitch cam block assemblies 16, one such assembly being located intermediate adjacent feeding stations and center earns 17, one of which is carried in fixed position on the machine between each pair of cam block assemblies. Each of the assemblies 16 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) include certain of the cams required for the operation of the needles at the adjacent feeds. Thus for example the assembly 16 located between Nos. 1 and '2 feeds and hereinafter referred to as the assembly at feed No. 1, includes a cam 18 having a stitch drawing surface '20 for operating the needles during rotary and forward reciproca'tory strokes of the needle cylinder at No. 1 feed and a stitch drawing surface 21 for operating the needles during reverse reciprocatory strokes of the needle cylinder at No. 2 feed, and a guard cam '22. Likewise, the cam 18 of each of the other a'sse'mblies 16 at feeds Nos. 2, 3 and 4 includes a forward stitch drawing "surface for its own feed and a "reverse stit'ch drawin'g'surfaee for an adjacent feed.

The earns 18 and 22 'of each assembly 16 are grooved to receive a portion 25 of a block '26 (FIGS; 4 and '6) and the cams are secured to the 'block by suitable means such as studs 27 and 30 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Block 26 is provided with a vertically extending dovetailed groove 31 for receiving a dovetailed extension 32 of an upright portion 35 of a bracket 36. The bracket 36 of each assembly 16 is held in fixed adjusted position by clamps 37 (FIG. 1) in radially extending slots 38 formed in the upper surface of a table member 40 surrounding the needle cylinder and forming 'a part of the framework of the machine. Block 26 with the earns 18 and '22 is vertically adjustable on the upright portion 35 to vary the length of the stitches drawn by the needles. For this purpose block 26 .is provided with a horizontally extending slot 41 for receiving one end 42 of a shaft 45 which is rotatably mounted in the bracket 36, the center of the end 42 being offset or eccentric to the center of the shaft, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. A stop screw 48 carried in the block 26 acts to determine the initial position of the end 42 in the slot 41. At its other end the shaft 45 carries a member 46 having projecting cars 47 and 50 which are adapted to rotatably support a worm '51 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The teeth of the worm 51 are in meshing engagement with the teeth of a worm wheel 52 secured in fixed position on the end of the shaft 45 for rotation therewith. The position of the member 46 'on the shaft 45 is initially adjusted by turning the worm 51 and the member is then'secured to the shaft by a set screw 53 (FIG.

The shafts 45 of the assemblies 16 are adapted to be simultaneously rotated to adjust cams 18 and 22 to vary the stitch length formed thereby at each of the feeds Nos. 1 to 4. For this purpose the car 50 of the member 46 associated with each shaft 45 adjustably carries a stop screw 55 for engagement with a vertically extending lug 56 of a ring member 57 (FIG. 5). Ring member 57 is provided with a central opening 60 for engaging the outer periphery of the 'table member 40 and an inwardly projecting flange portion 61 adapted to engage the underside of the table member, as shown in FIG. 4. The ring member is supported in such position for rotation relative to the table member 40 and the assemblies 16 by spaced studs, one of which is shown at 62, adjustably carried in an upper plate 65 also forming a part of the framework of the machine. The ring member 57 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, by springs 66 connected between the ring member and a fixed part of the machine during which movement the stop screw 55 is caused to follow the lug 56, by any suitable means (not shown), thereby rotating the shaft 45 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, to lower the cams 18 and 22 to increase the length of the stitches. Likewise rotation of the ring member 57 in a clockwise direction acts through the stop screw 55 to turn the shaft 45 clockwise to raise the earns 18 and '22 to decrease the length of the stitches.

For rotating the ring member 57 clockwise, the ring member is provided with an L-shaped projection one wall 67 of which adjustably carries a stop screw 79 for engagement with one arm 71 of a lever 72. Wall 67 is provided with an abutment portion 63 for contact with a stop screw 69 whereby to limit the extent of rotation of ring member 57 in a counterclockwise direction, and hence the maximum stitch length drawn may be adjustably determined. The lever 72 is pivotally mounted on a stud 75 secured in the other wall 76 of the projection. A second arm 77 of the lever 72 is connected by a link 80 to one arm 81 of a lever 82 mounted for pivotal movement on a pin 85 carried in an upright portion of the framework of the machine. A second arm 86 of the lever 82 is provided with an enlarged head portion 87 having slots 90 for'receiving'follower members 91 (FIGS..2 and 10). The follower members 91 are retained in the slots 90 by a cover member 95 which :is secured to the .head portion 87 by screws 96. Each follower member 91 is adjustable in its associated slot 90 by means of an adjusting screw 97 threadably carried in the cover member 95 and the follower member is retained in such adjusted position by a set screw 100 (FIG. 2). The upper four follower members 91 are adapted to engage circumferential rows of cam lugs 10-1 on a left pattern drum 102 and, except as hereinafter set forth, one or another of the four follower members is always in engagement with the particular row of cam lugs associated therewith to control the length of the stitches being formed in the various parts of a stocking fabric. The left pattern drum 102 and a corresponding right pattern drum 105 are mounted on vertical shafts 106 and the drums are constructed and operated the same as set forth in said application Serial No. 329,801.

In accordance with the instant invention the ring member 57 is also moved clockwise to progressively adjust the cam block assemblies 16 to gradually reduce the length of the fabric stitches as for example in the calf portion of the stocking. For this purpose the lower member 91 rotatably carries a roller 167 which is adapted to ride on a cam track 103 formed on a ring 10. The ring 110 is mounted on the drum 102 to permit its rotation relatively thereto and for this purpose is provided with a bore 111 having an inner periphery engaging the outer periphery of the drum 102. Axial movement of the ring relative to the drum is prevented by a flange 112 which projects inwardly from the bore between a lower surface 113 formed on the drum and an upper surface 115 of a braking device 116 for the drum as shown in FIG. 10. Preferably the cam track 108 has a gradual rise portion 117 which acts to turn the ring member 57 clockwise to gradually decrease the length of the stitches from the upper portion of the leg of the stocking to the ankle portion thereof, a concentric portion 118 which controls the length of the stitches in the ankle portion and a low portion 120 (FIG. 2). It is to be understood, however, that the configuration oflthe cam track 108 to gradually decrease the length of the stitches, as above described, is only representative of one form that may be employed and the cam track may include camming portions to both gradually decrease and increase the length of the stitches as desired.

The ring 110 is adapted to be independently rotated relative to the pattern drum 102 and at times is also rotated by the pattern drum. For rotating the ring 110 relative toth'e pattern drum the ring is provided with spaced teeth 121 which are adapted to be engaged by a pawl 122 pivotally mounted *on'one arm 123 of a lever 125. A spring 124 connected between the pawl 122 and arm 123 biases the pawl toward engagement with the teeth 121. The lever 125 is pivotally mounted on a pin 126 carried in theplate 65 (FIG. '8) and is provided with a second arm 127 having a follower surface 128 which is engaged by a roller 130 to turn the lever counterclockwise and advance the pawl 122 from a stopped position, indicated in FIG. 2, to index the ring 110 a distance of one of the teeth 121. The roller 130 is mounted on a collar 131 secured to a shaft 132 which is the so-called quarter turn shaft of the machine and which makes one complete revolution for four revolutions of the needle cylinder. Thus, in the construction shown, the ring 110 is indexed one tooth for each four revolutions of the needle cylinder although it is to be understood that the indexing movements may occur at intervals of less than four cylinder rotations when desired by providing additional rollers 130 on the collar 131. At times the pawl 122 is held out of indexing engagement with the teeth 121, for purposes hereinafter set forth, by pawl blanking means comprising cam lugs 133 and 135 which are secured in an annular groove 136 formed in the outer periphery of the ring 110 intermediate the teeth and the cam surfaces thereof (FIGS. 2, 9 and 11). At such times, the pawl merely moves idly back and forth between the cam lug with which it is engaged and the last tooth indexed by the pawl and the ring 110 is held against rotation by a plate spring 139 which is mounted on the plate 65 for engagement with the teeth 121 in the ring.

in order to move the cam lug 135 out of engagement with the pawl to again permit it to advance the ring 110 the pawl is given a movement of greater than normal extent by a cam lever 138 which is connected to the lever 125 by a link 137. The cam lever. 138 is pivotally mounted on a pin 140 carried in a fixed part of the machine and is provided with a nose portion 141 for engagement with one or more cam lugs 142 on the right pattern drum 105. A spring 143 connected between the link 137 and a fixed part of the machine acts to bias the link to turn the lever 125 clockwise to its stopped position against a stop screw 145 adjustably carried in a bracket 146 secured to the plate 65 (FIG. 1) and to turn the nose portion 141 of the lever 138 toward the pattern drum 105. The ring 110 is adapted to be rotated with the pattern drum 102 also for the purpose of moving the cam lug 133 out of engagement with the pawl 122, by engagement of a plate member 147, secured to the drum by a screw 148, with a pin or stud 150 secured to the ring within an annular groove 151 formed in the inner bore 111 of the ring.

At the start of the stocking knitting cycle, the ring member 57 is positioned by engagement of one of the four upper follower members 91 with a cam lug 101 in its associated cam row on the pattern drum 102 to control the length of the stitches. Also at this time the pawl 122 is disengaged from the teeth 121 by the cam lug 133 and the ring 110 is stopped with the low portion 120 of the cam track 108 aligned with the roller 107 on the lower follower member 91, as shown in FIG. 2. As the knitting of the stocking fabric progresses the pattern drum 102 is indexed relative to the ring 110 until the plate member 147 overtakes the pin 150 and the ring is then moved with the pattern drum to remove the cam lug 133 from beneath the pawl 122, this action occurring at the point in the stocking fabric at which the length of the stitches is to be gradually reduced. The pawl 122 then operates to index the ring 110 and as the roller 107 rides up the gradual rise portion 117 of the cam track 108 ring member 57 is turned clockwise to gradually decrease the length of the stitches. As the pawl 122 continues to index the ring member 110 the roller 107 engages and rides along the concentric portion 118 of the cam track 103 to control the length of the stitches in the ankle portion of the stocking. As the end of the concentric portion 118 approaches the roller 107 the cam lug 135 is moved beneath the pawl 122 to disengage it from the teeth 121, thereby stopping the ring member.

At the start of the heel of the stocking or shortly prior thereto, a cam lug 142 of drum 105 is moved to engage and operate the cam lever 13-8 to turn the lever 125 sufficiently counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 to move the pawl beyond the cam lug 135 and advance the ring 110 to an extent that the cam lug is advanced to a position in which it is out from under the pawl in the normal operative position of the latter. as the lug 142 is moved from engagement with the cam lever 130, the lever 125 18 again returned to its stopped position of FIG. 2 in which position the lever and the pawl 122 are operated by the roller 130 to index the ring 110 to align the low portion 120 of the cam track 108 with the roller 107 on the lowermost follower member 91. Also at this time a cam lug 101 on the pattern drum 102 is moved to engage one of the upper follower members 91 to position the ring member 57 and the appropriate cam 18 to control the length of the stitches in the heel of the stocking. The pawl 122 then continues to advance the ring until the cam lug 133 is moved to position to disengage the pawl 122 from the teeth 121 to idle the ring 110.

' by means including links 155 connected to the members 46 of the cam block assemblies and associated operating means substantially as shown in my said co-pending application. Inasmuch as these individual control mechanisms form no part of the instant invention and are not effective during the operation of the device of the invention no further description thereof will be given.

. Having thus described my invention in rather full detail it will be understood that these details need not be strictly adhered to and that various changes and modifications may be made all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a multifeed circular knitting machine adapted to knit successive fabric courses and having a plurality of yarn feeding and knitting stations and a plurality of cam assemblies adjustable between rm'sed and lowered positions to vary the lengths of the stitches drawn at said stations, a common control element for simultaneously adjusting the positions of said cam assemblies, and means for operating said common control element, the improvement comprising a second means under patttern control for operating said common control element during the knitting of a plurality of courses for gradually adjusting said cam assemblies between raised and lowered positions.

2. In a multifeed circular knitting machine adapted to knit successive fabric courses and having a plurality of yarn feeding and knitting stations and a plurality of cam assemblies to vary the length of stitches drawn at said stations, said cam assemblies being adjustable between raised and lowered positions to vary the length of stitches drawn at said stations, common means for simultaneously adjusting said cam assemblies, a rotatable pattern drum having cams thereon and a followr means for cooperation with said cams on said drum, for operating said common means, the improvement comprising graduated means movable at times independently of said pattern drum and cooperant with said follower means for operating said common means for gradually adjusting the position of said cam assemblies during the knitting of a plurality of courses.

3. In a multifeed circular knitting machine adapted to knit successive fabric courses and having a plurality of yarn feeding and knitting stations and a plurality of cam assemblies adjustable between raised and lowered positions to vary the lengths of the stitches drawn at said stations, and a common control element for simultaneously adjusting the positions of said cam assemblies, the improvement comprising means under pattern control for operating said common control element during the knitting of a plurality of courses for gradually adjusting said cam assemblies and a pattern means, said means under pattern control including a cam ring mounted for rotation, a cam ring advancing means con- Thereupon,

trolled in part by said pattern means, and a follower for said cam ring cooperating with said common control element.

4. In a multifeed circular knitting machine adapted to knit successive fabric courses and having a plurality of yarn feeding and knitting stations and a plurality of cam assemblies adjustable between raised and lowered positions to vary the length of stitches drawn at said stations, a rotatable pattern drum having cams thereon and a follower means for cooperation with said cams on said drum, the improvement comprising graduated means movable at times independently of said pattern drum and cooperant with said follower means for gradually adjusting the position of said cam assemblies during the knitting of a plurality of courses, said graduated means comprising an arcuate cam mounted for rotation about a center common to said pattern drum and said follower means includes a follower element for cooperation with said arcuate cam.

5. A machine as defined in claim 4 having a second rotatable pattern drum and in which said graduated means comprises an arcuate cam mounted for rotation about a center common to said first mentioned pattern drum and said arcuate cam is rotated about said center in part under the control of said second pattern drum and said follower means includes a follower element for cooperation with said arcuate cam.

6. A machine as defined in claim 4 having a second rotatable pattern drum and a constantly rotating shaft and in which said improvement further includes an arcuate cam comprising said graduated means, means mount ing said cam for rotation about a center common to said first mentioned pattern drum, a ratchet associated with said cam, a pawl for cooperation with said ratchet for advancement thereof, means operated by said constantly rotating shaft for driving said pawl through ratchet advancing movements at certain times, and means under the control of said second pattern drum for causing a ratchet advancing movement of said pawl at other times.

7. A machine as defined in claim 4 having a second rotatable pattern drum and in which said improvement further includes an arcuate cam comprising said graduated means, a ratchet associated with said cam, a pawl for cooperation with said ratchet for advancement thereof, means for driving said pawl through normal ratchet advancing movements, means associated with said ratchet for preventing cooperation between said ratchet and pawl at certain times during normal advancing movement of the pawl, and means under the control of said second pattern drum for imparting an abnormal ratchet advancing movement to said pawl.

8. A machine as defined in claim 4 having a second rotatable pattern drum and in which said improvement further includes an arcuate cam comprising said graduated means, a ratchet associated with said cam, a pawl for cooperation with said ratchet for advancement thereof, means for driving said pawl through normal ratchet advancing strokes, pawl blanking means associated with said ratchet at a certain location thereon to prevent cooperation of said pawl with said ratchet during normal advancing movements of said pawl and means under the control of said second pattern drum for imparting an abnormal ratchet advancing movement to said pawl.

9. A machine as defined in claim 4 having a second rotatable pattern drum and in which said improvement further includes an arcuate cam comprising said graduated means, a ratchet associated with said earn, a pawl for coopertion with said ratchet for advancement thereof, means for driving said pawl through normal ratchet advancing strokes, pawl blanking means associated with said ratchet at a certain location thereon to prevent cooperation of said pawl with said ratchet during normal advancing movements of said pawl and means comprising a pattern lug on said second pattern drum, a follower for contact by said lug and linkage between said follower and pawl for imparting an abnormal ratchet advancing movement to said pawl.

10. A machine as defined in claim 4 having a second rotatable pattern drum and in which said improvement further includes an arcuate cam comprising said graduated means and mounted concentrically of said first pattern drum and for rotation relative thereto, a ratchet associated with said cam, a pawl for cooperation with said ratchet for advancing movements thereof, means for driving said pawl through normal ratchet advancing strokes, a first pawl blanking means carried by said ratchet at a certain location thereon to engage said pawl and prevent cooperation thereof with said ratchet during normal advancing movements of said pawl at said locations, means associated with said first pattern drum for causing advancing movements of said ratchet at certain times to advance said first pawl blanking means out of engagement with said pawl.

11. A machine as defined in claim 10 in which said ratchet carries a second pawl blanking means and there is means under the control of said second pattern drum for imparting an abnormal ratchet advancing movement to said pawl to advance said second pawl blanking means out of engagement with said pawl in the normal operative position thereof.

'Burdett Dec. 10, 1957 St. Pierre et al. Feb. 18, 1958 

1. IN A MULTIFEED CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE ADAPTED TO KNIT SUCCESSIVE FABRIC COURSES AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF YARN FEEDING AND KNITTING STATIONS AND A PLURALITY OF CAM ASSEMBLIES ADJUSTABLE BETWEEN RAISED AND LOWERED POSITIONS TO VARY THE LENGTHS OF THE STICHES DRAWN AT SAID STATIONS, A COMMON CONTROL ELEMENT FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ADJUSTING THE POSITIONS OF SAID CAM ASSEMBLIES, AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID COMMON CONTROL ELEMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A SECOND MEANS UNDER PATTERN CONTROL FOR OPERATING SAID COMMON CONTROL ELEMENT DURING THE KNITTING OF A PLURALITY OF COURSES FOR GRADUALLY ADJUSTING SAID CAM ASSEMBLIES BETWEEN RAISED AND LOWERED POSITIONS.
 2. IN A MULTIFEED CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE ADAPTED TO KNIT SUCCESSIVE FABRIC COURSES AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF YARN FEEDING AND KNITTING STATIONS AND A PLURALITY OF CAM ASSEMBLIES TO VARY THE LENGTH OF STITCHES DRAWN AT SAID STATIONS, SAID CAM ASSEMBLIES BEING ADJUSTABLE BETWEEN RAISED AND LOWERED POSITIONS TO VARY THE LENGTH OF STITCHES DRAWN AT SAID STATIONS, COMMON MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ADJUSTING SAID CAM ASSEMBLIES, A ROTATABLE PATTERN DRUM HAVING CAMS THEREON AND A FOLLOWER MEANS FOR COOPERATION WITH SAID CAMS ON SAID DRUM, FOR OPERATING SAID COMMON MEANS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING GRADUATED MEANS MOVABLE AT TIMES INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID PATTERN DRUM AND COOPERANT WITH SAID FOLLOWER MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID COMMON MEANS FOR GRADUALLY ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF SAID CAM ASSEMBLIES DURING THE KNITTING OF A PLURALITY OF COURSES.
 4. IN A MULTIFEED CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE ADAPTED TO KNIT SUCCESSIVE FABRIC COURSES AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF YARN FEEDING AND KNITTING STATIONS AND A PLURALITY OF CAM ASSEMBLIES ADJUSTABLE BETWEEN RAISED AND LOWERED POSITIONS TO VARY THE LENGTH OF STITCHES DRAWN AT SAID STATIONS, A ROTATABLE PATTERN DRUM HAVING CAMS THEREON AND A FOLLOWER MEANS FOR COOPERATION WITH SAID CAMS ON SAID DRUM, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING GRADUATED MEANS MOVABLE AT TIMES INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID PATTERN DRUM AND COOPERANT WITH SAID FOLLOWER MEANS FOR GRADUALLY ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF SAID CAM ASSEMBLIES DURING THE KNITTING OF A PLURALITY OF COURSES, SAID GRADUATED MEANS COMPRISING AN ARCUATE CAM MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT A CENTER COMMON TO SAID PATTERN DRUM AND SAID FOLLOWER MEANS INCLUDES A FOLLOWER ELEMENT FOR COOPERATION WITH SAID ARCUATE CAM. 